The Diversifieds A publication of the EDRC at Grays Harbor College
Volume 1, Issue 3
February 2009
Black History Month By Howard Tenke
February is...
Many often wonder why Black History Month is in February the shortest month of the year. In fact comedians often make light of that very fact. Black History Month does have its detractors not just in the white community but in the black commu‐ nity as well. In 2009 it takes on even more sig‐ nificance with the election and inauguration of our first African American President.
Lincoln and abolitionist Fredrick Douglas. Woodson also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
was an early work in his‐ tory that pointed to black contributions.
Transfer Trips
Students of Color
EDRC Library
February 13 —The Ever‐ green State College and Saint Martin’s Univer‐ sity . Contact Cal Erwin‐ Svoboda at 538‐4078 for more information.
The 19th Annual Students of Color Conference is April 16‐18. Contact Brian Shook at 538‐4015 before February 5th for more information.
The EDRC’s library is now open! Stop by to see our selection of books & videos. Mostly topics on ethnicity & sexuality, both fiction & non ‐fiction. Ask the EDRC staff to show you the library and help you with the check‐out process. Donations to our library would also be greatly appreciated.
• African America History Month
Black History month does • Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month have its detractors; it Awareness Dates: sparks an annual debate about the continued use‐ National Freedom Day 1 fulness and fairness of a Imbolc (Pagan & Wiccan) 1-2 designated month dedi‐ When the tradition of Groundhog Day 2 cated to the history of one Black History Month was Candlemas (Christian) 2 started in the US, many in race. Critical op‐ed pieces Setsubun (Japan) 3 mainstream academia had have appeared in newspa‐ World Marriage Day 8 pers across the country barely begun to explore T’u B’Shvat (Jewish) 9 black history. At that Some African JESTINE point, most representation radical/nationalist groups, Lantern Festival (China) 9 of blacks in history books Taeborum (South Korea) 9 including the Nation of Black History Month be‐ was only in reference to Islam, have criticized Black Saint Maroon’s Day (Lebanon) 9 gan as Negro History the low social position Butter Sculpture Festival (Tibet) 10 History Month. Some crit‐ Week in 1926 and was they held as slaves and ics, including the actor Lincoln’s Birthday 12 started by historian Carter their descendants, with Morgan Freeman, contend Valentine’s Day 14 G. Woodson. Woodson infrequent exceptions that Black History Month is Nirvana (Buddhist) 15 chose the second week of such as that of George irrelevant because it has Arbaeen (Islamic) 16 February because it Washington Carter. Black degenerated into a shallow marked the birthdays of President’s Day History Month is also re‐ 16 ritual. Some, like Morgan two Americans who ferred to as African‐ World Day of Social Justice 20 Freeman, say that it serves greatly influenced the American History Month, Bun Day (Iceland) 23 to undermine the conten‐ lives and social condition or African Heritage Month. tion that black history is Maha Shivaratri (Hindu) 23 of African Americans: for‐ W.E.B. DuBois' 1935 work American history. Bursting Day (Iceland) 24 mer President Abraham "Black Reconstruction" Mardi Gras 24 Ash Wednesday (Christian) 25 Campus Happenings Intercalary Days (Baha’i) 26
February 27—Western Washington University. Contact Brian Shook at 538‐ 4015 for more information.
All College Day February 13 is All College Day at GHC—there will be no classes.
The Diversifieds are a publication of the EDRC of Grays Harbor College. The mission of the EDRC is to promote awareness, respect, and equitable treatment of the diverse individuals and groups that exist within our campus and surrounding communities. The EDRC is open to all! Please come visit us in the 200 building.